Hydraulic tool with multiple handles

ABSTRACT

A hydraulic tool including a main section and a working head. The main section has a hydraulic drive system including a pump and a hydraulic fluid conduit system, and a first handle adapted to allow a user to grasp the main section with a first hand. The working head is connected to the main section and includes a frame, a ram movably connected to the frame, and a second handle extending from the frame. The ram is adapted to be moved on the frame by hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic drive system. The second handle is adapted to allow a user to grasp the working head with a second hand away from a compression area between the ram and an opposite anvil section of the frame.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a hydraulic tool and, more particularly, to a hydraulic tool having more than one handle.

2. Brief Description of Prior Developments

Electric powered rotary tools, such as drills, sanders and grinders, are known which include two handles for a user, such as shown in U.S. patent application publication Nos. 2006/0075851A1 and 2005/0249564 for example. U.S. Pat. No. 5,282,378 also discloses a hydraulic tool with two handles.

Battery operated hydraulic crimping and cutting tools are also well known in the art, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,745,611 B2 for example, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. These battery operated hydraulic crimping and cutting tools are traditionally designed to be held with one hand and, thus, have a single handle. As electrical industry demands drive up the use of larger conductor sizes, tools will be produced to install the required larger size connectors. The working heads of these tools are inevitably going to get larger and heavier in order to crimp larger size connectors. This will make a single handle battery operated hydraulic tool disproportionately heavy at its front end (nose-heavy) and somewhat uncomfortable to hold with a single hand during use.

There is a desire to provide a battery operated, hydraulic crimping tool which can be held with two hands to allow for more comfortable use when the tool has a heavy working head.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a hydraulic tool is provided including a main section and a working head. The main section has a hydraulic drive system including a pump and a hydraulic fluid conduit system, and a first handle adapted to allow a user to grasp the main section with a first hand. The working head is connected to the main section and includes a frame, a ram movably connected to the frame, and a second handle extending from the frame. The ram is adapted to be moved on the frame by hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic drive system. The second handle is adapted to allow a user to grasp the working head with a second hand away from a compression area between the ram and an opposite anvil section of the frame.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a hydraulic tool is provided comprising a main section and a working head. The main section has a hydraulic drive system comprising a pump and a hydraulic fluid conduit system, and a first handle adapted to allow a user to grasp the main section with a first hand. The working head is connected to the main section and comprises a frame, a ram movably connected to the frame, and a second handle movably connected to the frame. The ram is adapted to be moved on the frame by hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic drive system. The second handle is movably relative to the frame between a first position and a second position. In the first position the second handle is adapted to allow a user to grasp the working head with a second hand away from a compression area between the ram and an opposite anvil section of the frame. In the second position the second handle is in a different storage position in the frame.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a hydraulic tool is provided comprising a main section and a working head. The main section has a hydraulic drive system comprising a pump and a hydraulic fluid conduit system, and a first handle adapted to allow a user to grasp the main section with a first hand. The working head is connected to the main section and comprises a frame, a ram movably connected to the frame, and a second handle repositionably connected to the frame. The ram is adapted to be moved on the frame by hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic drive system. The second handle is adapted to be located at a first position on the frame to allow a user to grasp the working head with a second hand away from a compression area between the ram and an opposite anvil section of the frame. The second handle is adapted to be repositioned on the frame to a second different position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing aspects and other features of the invention are explained in the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a hand-held tool incorporating features of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the tool shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the tool shown in FIG. 1 with the front handle is a second position;

FIG. 4 is a front view of the tool shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the tool shown in FIG. 1 with the front handle repositioned to another location;

FIG. 6 is a front view of the tool shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a side view of the tool shown in FIG. 1 with the front handle repositioned to another location;

FIG. 6 is a front view of the tool as shown in FIG. 2 with the front handle repositioned to the opposite side of the tool; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the invention with a stationarily mounted front handle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a side view of a hydraulic tool 10 incorporating features of the invention. Although the invention will be described with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings, it should be understood that the invention can be embodied in many alternate forms of embodiments. In addition, any suitable size, shape or type of elements or materials could be used.

The tool 10 is a battery powered, hand-held hydraulic crimping tool adapted to crimp or compress an electrical connector onto an electrical conductor. The tool is adapted to have removable crimping dies (not shown) connected to its working head 12 to crimp the connector onto the conductor. However, in alternate embodiments, the tool could comprise permanent (non-removable) crimping surfaces or cutting dies to cut a conductor.

The tool 10 generally comprises a main section 14 and the working head 12. The main section 14 comprises an outer housing 16 surrounding a hydraulic drive system 18. The hydraulic drive system comprises an electric motor 20, a hydraulic pump 22 connected to a hydraulic fluid reservoir 24, and a hydraulic fluid conduit system 26 such as in a frame of the main section. The main section 14 also includes a battery 32 and a control system including actuation and release triggers 28, 30. The housing 16 forms a first handle 38 for a user to grasp the tool with a first hand. The first handle is rigid. The triggers 28, 30 are located at the first handle 38 for actuation by fingers of the user's first hand as the user is grasping the first handle 38 with the first hand. The components of the main section could comprise any suitable components known in the art. In alternate embodiments, any suitable type of main section could be provided.

The working head 12 generally comprises a frame 34 and a ram 36. In a preferred embodiment the frame 34 is rotatably connected to the front end of the main section 14. However, in an alternate embodiment the frame 34 could be stationarily connected to the front end of the main section. In this embodiment the frame has a general C shaped profile. However, in alternate embodiments any suitable shaped frame could be provided. The rear end 40 of the frame 34 has the ram 36 movably located therein. The ram 36 is adapted to extend and retract relative to a front anvil section 42 of the frame 34 as indicated by arrow 44. The ram 36 is moved forward towards the anvil section 42 by hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic drive system 18 pressing against the rear end of the ram 36. The ram is moved rearward, back towards a home position, by a return spring when the hydraulic fluid behind the ram is released back to the hydraulic fluid reservoir 24. Operation of the ram is convention and well known in the art. The ram 36 and the anvil section 42 are adapted to removably receive connector crimping dies (not shown) at mounting areas 46, 48.

Referring also to FIG. 2, in addition to the frame 34 and the ram 36, the working head 12 includes a second handle 50. The second handle 50 is mounted to the frame 34. In this embodiment the second handle 50 is mounted to a bottom side 52 of the frame 34. However, the second handle could be mounted at other locations as illustrated by the examples noted below. In this embodiment the second handle 50 comprises a mounting section 54, a movement joint 56, and a handle section 58. The mounting section 54 preferably comprises a threaded section 55 which screwed into a threaded hole in the bottom of the frame 34. However, in an alternate embodiment the mounting section 54 could be integrally with the frame 34, such as an integrally formed mounting post. This could occur when the metal frame 34 is cast; perhaps with additional subsequent machining.

The movement joint 56 forms a pivoting hinge which movably connects the handle section 58 to the mounting section 54. This could be as simple as a pinned hinge connection, or could be more complex. For example, the movement joint 56 could comprise a detent locating system 60 to positively hold the handle section 58 at one or more positions until positively moved by a user. However, a detent locating system need not be provided. In an alternate embodiment, additionally or alternatively, the movement joint 56 could comprise a position locking system 61 to lock the handle section 58 in a user selected angular position on the frame 34 (such as the first and/or second positions). In this type of embodiment the locking system 61 would need to be manually unlocked by the user to move the handle section 58 to another position on the frame 34. In addition, in an alternate embodiment the second handle might not comprise a movement joint. The handle section 58 could be stationarily connected to the mounting section 54.

The handle section 58 forms an area where a user can grasp the handle 50 away from the compression area 62 between the ram 36 and the anvil section 42. In this embodiment the handle section 58 is shown as a general rod shape. However, in alternate embodiments any suitably shaped handle section, to allow a second hand of the user to grasp the handle section, could be provided.

The provision of the second handle 50 allows a user to grasp the tool 10 at the two handles 38, 50 to better control and more comfortably hold the tool 10; especially if the frame 34 is a large size frame (for large size connectors) having a heavy weight compared to traditional such tools. The second handle 50 is suitably located away from the compression area 62 to help insure that the user's second hand will not be accidentally caught in the area 62 during crimping.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show the second handle 50 in a first position on the frame 34. In this first position the handle 50 extends downward from the bottom side 52 of the frame 34 in a general cantilevered fashion. Referring also to FIGS. 3 and 4, the second handle 50 is shown in a second position on the frame 34. In this second position the handle 50 has been moved, from the extended first position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, to a storage position. The second storage position comprises the handle section 58 being located underneath the bottom side 52, substantially parallel to the bottom side 52; rotated about 90 degrees from its first position. Movement of the second handle to its second position can allow the tool 10 to be stored more easily. In addition, the second handle 50 can be moved to its second position if the working head 12 needs to be inserted into a limited space work area; which the second handle 50 might otherwise prevent if second handle 50 was located in its first position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

Installing an assist handle onto the working head of a tool allows the user to handle the additional weight of a heavy working head more easily. The application of this handle can be somewhat flexible, in that it may need to have more than one installation location, and may need to fold flat for insertion in some working locations.

The frame 34 can comprise multiple mounting locations 64 for mounting the second handle 50. In this embodiment the mounting locations 64 comprise threaded holes along at least one lateral side of the frame 34. For example, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the handle 50 could be mounted to the right side of the tool 10 on one of the mounting holes 64 on the right lateral side of the frame 34. The movement joint 56 could allow the handle section 58 to be moved from its first extended position to a second non-extended position, such as shown by dotted lines in FIG. 5 or FIG. 6. FIG. 7 shows the handle 50 located at another different mounting location on the right side of the frame 34. FIG. 8 shows the handle 50 mounted to another different mounting location on the left side of the frame 34. Comparison of FIGS. 6 and 8 illustrate that the second handle 50 can be repositioned on the frame 34 for either a left handed or right handed user. In an alternate embodiment, the handle 50 could be mounted to the bottom side 52 of the frame 34, and the movement joint 56 could be configured to allow the handle section 58 to be located in the down position, at least one lateral position (left and/or right), and/or a folded flat position as shown in FIG. 3. In another alternate embodiment, the movement joint 56 could be a universal type of joint allowing the handle section to be located at any suitable angular position relative to the frame 34 and having a position locking system to lock any specific angular location.

Referring also to FIG. 9, an alternate embodiment of the invention is shown. The tool 70 generally comprises a main section 72, a working head 74 and an arm support 76. A similar arm support is described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ filed May 14, 2007, (Attorney Docket No. 003B.0117.U1(US)) entitled “Tool Arm Support” which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. In this embodiment the working head 74 is identical to the working head 12, except for the second handle 78. In this embodiment the handle 78 has a mounting section 54, such as a threaded end, and a handle section 80, but does not include a movement joint. Thus, when the mounting section 54 is connected to the frame 34, the handle section 80 is stationarily mounted to the frame 34. However, the handle 78 could be mounted to any of the mounting locations on the frame 34. Alternatively, the frame of the working head might only have one mounting location.

It should be understood that the foregoing description is only illustrative of the invention. Various alternatives and modifications can be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variances which fall within the scope of the appended claims. 

1. A hydraulic tool comprising: a main section having a hydraulic drive system comprising a pump and a hydraulic fluid conduit system, and a first handle adapted to allow a user to grasp the main section with a first hand; and a working head connected to the main section, wherein the working head comprises a frame, a ram movably connected to the frame, and a second handle extending from the frame, wherein the ram is adapted to be moved on the frame by hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic drive system, and wherein the second handle is adapted to allow a user to grasp the working head with a second hand away from a compression area between the ram and an opposite anvil section of the frame.
 2. A hydraulic tool as in claim 1 wherein the second handle extends from the frame in a general cantilever fashion.
 3. A hydraulic tool as in claim 1 wherein the second handle extends downward from a bottom side of the frame.
 4. A hydraulic tool as in claim 1 wherein the second handle is stationarily mounted to the frame.
 5. A hydraulic tool as in claim 1 wherein the second handle is rotatably mounted to the frame.
 6. A hydraulic tool as in claim 5 wherein the second handle is movably mounted to the frame by a pivotably hinge connection for being flipped between two positions.
 7. A hydraulic tool as in claim 1 wherein the second handle is repositionably mounted to the frame for location on the frame in at least two positions.
 8. A hydraulic tool as in claim 1 wherein the second handle comprises a single cantilevered rod extending from a bottom side of the frame.
 9. A hydraulic tool comprising: a main section having a hydraulic drive system comprising a pump and a hydraulic fluid conduit system, and a first handle adapted to allow a user to grasp the main section with a first hand; and a working head connected to the main section, wherein the working head comprises a frame, a ram movably connected to the frame, and a second handle movably connected to the frame, wherein the ram is adapted to be moved on the frame by hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic drive system, wherein the second handle is movably relative to the frame between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position the second handle is adapted to allow a user to grasp the working head with a second hand away from a compression area between the ram and an opposite anvil section of the frame, and wherein in the second position the second handle is in a different storage position in the frame.
 10. A hydraulic tool as in claim 9 wherein, in the first position, the second handle extends from the frame in a general cantilever fashion.
 11. A hydraulic tool as in claim 10 wherein, in the first position, the second handle extends downward from a bottom side of the frame.
 12. A hydraulic tool as in claim 11 wherein the second handle is rotatably mounted to the frame.
 13. A hydraulic tool as in claim 12 wherein the second handle is movably mounted to the frame by a pivotably hinge connection for being flipped between the first and second positions.
 14. A hydraulic tool as in claim 13 further comprising a detent system for positively locating the second handle at the first position and at the second position.
 15. A hydraulic tool as in claim 9 wherein the second handle is repositionably mounted to the frame for location on the frame in at least two positions.
 16. A hydraulic tool comprising: a main section having a hydraulic drive system comprising a pump and a hydraulic fluid conduit system, and a first handle adapted to allow a user to grasp the main section with a first hand; and a working head connected to the main section, wherein the working head comprises a frame, a ram movably connected to the frame, and a second handle repositionably connected to the frame, wherein the ram is adapted to be moved on the frame by hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic drive system, wherein the second handle is adapted to be located at a first position on the frame to allow a user to grasp the working head with a second hand away from a compression area between the ram and an opposite anvil section of the frame, and wherein the second handle is adapted to be repositioned on the frame to a second different position.
 17. A hydraulic tool as in claim 16 wherein the second handle is screwed into the frame, and wherein frame comprises at least two spaced threaded connection areas for mounting the second handle.
 18. A hydraulic tool as in claim 16 wherein the second handle is pivotably connected to the frame between a stored position and a cantilever extended position.
 19. A hydraulic tool as in claim 16 wherein the second handle is rotatably connected to the frame.
 20. A hydraulic tool as in claim 16 further comprising a detent system for positively locating the second handle at the first position and at the second position. 